Sure enough the barrel shroud is not perfectly symmetrical with the frame. revolvers.) A good 9mm pistol has its own flexibility by the sheer assortment of stuff you can hang off it. Next came a 4 15-2, that was $356, and I found a 6 VH barrel and shroud for like $79, and finally my last one was a complete frame only for $300, no barrel, but on Ebay again, I found a 4 pitted barrel and shroud for like $120 that wasnt pitted either. If you want, you can also uninstall the whole mechanism so that the gun does not automatically lock up again. Regarding Smith and Wesson revolvers I know the older or pre (safety) lock revolvers are generally thought of as higher quality and highly sought after by Smith and Wesson revolver aficionados or just by folks who want nothing to do with what's now known as the Clinton safety on a S&W revolver. Premium Leather Paddle Holster Open Top Fits, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 6'' BBL, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1511# Amazon Can you change the grip of the Smith and Wesson 686? Love my 686 with a 6 inch barrel. Now, you can manually unlock or unstick the locking mechanism. Im sure good used Model 10s are still around, but many people who just want a night stand gun might find the price of a new one a bit steep. Has there been any recall with the Smith and Wesson 686? Xtrooper cautions that "the internal lock is a handy scapegoat for every failure of a Smith revolver equipped with one, but the fact is that verified failures are rare. First of all, you should inspect the extractor rod of your Smith and Wesson 686. The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. To correct the sluggish timing issue with old 686 revolvers, you will need a larger hand. Very happy with my choice. round. My testing protocol: the old 4 and the new 4 686s were fired by me, single-action, from a seated position off of a rest, at a paper target at 25 yards. It solved the problem law enforcement officers (who still carried revolvers then) were having with Smith's K-frame guns in .357 Magnum. This is a Smith and Wesson 686 plus deluxe which is a 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a 3" barrel. I just hope there are no innocents down range while you are burning through your ammo. I probably own a half dozen or more S&W revolvers. The cylinder will not lock as a result. The result is the worst trigger pulls ever put in a Smith handgun. Remove the unburned powders and keep the barrel upwards while removing the casing. I own more than a few bottom feeders as well; also practical and not practical. I wouldnt buy it until I knew how many times its been dropped. yes . While the rig definitely looked cool in the bathroom mirror with my long-barreled 686 strapped into it a la Dirty Harry, a week on horseback and climbing mountains spotting for sheep taught me that packing a 8 3/8 barreled howitzer in a shoulder holster was a miserable experience and not for me (that was the first and last shoulder holster Ive ever purchased). S&W split the lockwork into two halves: The firing half, and the trigger rebound half. You must specifically peen the teeths flat surfaces. Well I was wrong. The old 686 has a wide, serrated target trigger, whereas the new one is a smooth, narrow combat trigger. First a disclaimer: re-barreling a Smith & Wesson revolver is not for the novice gunsmith, nor the faint of heart. I wonder what took them so long to finally get to what they should have been a long time ago? As I browsed, I kept noticing one middle-aged gentlemen who was trying to ask questions of the salesmen behind the counter. jpboog 1 yr. ago He politely thanked me, accepted my offer, and introduced himself as Spencer.. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? And I really didnt want to part with my 686, even for another 686. After leaving too many 200 meter rams standing despite solid hits with the heavy bullets, I moved on to .44 magnum. So, I have included the solutions to these most common issues that the Smith and Wesson 686 users face. 1. The 686 is meant to be used. It was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and had a six-shot cylinder. Art, no debate from me. Some parts in these older Colt revolvers come over-sized, and the gunsmith is supposed to know how to hand-fit them with a file and stones. Still, look back through my posts and see the pictures I posed of my install. It's a competition revolver so accuracy is part of the package. I then explained to him the simplicity, safety and reliability of a quality double action revolver. One thing, i would only load shot shells for home defense as I didnt want to shoot through a wall and hit one of my kids. This seems to be due to the slightly lessened spring force at the beginning of hammer travel, which is also the end of the hammer travel when ignition occurs. The problem is that even with the so-called 'full power' ribbed springs misfires occasionally happen. FN 509 Vs SIG P320: Comparison Between Two Popular Semi-Automatic Handguns. Notice that the point of impact for all groups was higher than with the 4 barreled guns. Since then I've been reading up. Smith and Wesson designed it to be a reliable, accurate gun that gets used, not a safe queen or casual pocket carry pistol. Only the new Marlins offer the same level of disappointment. At this time of my life, any decent S&W revolver was selling for $400 and up (ah, the good ol days), I had just gotten married, and my gun fund was non-existent. And then an even more interesting question: how would the old 686 stack up if I re-installed that original 8 3/8 inch barrel? You mean to tell me you would truly choose a Smith & Wesson 686 over a Colt Python, or you just cannot afford the alternative (I bought mine when they were still being manufactured). I got this from GrabaGun for $679 + a $5 dollar shipping fee and a $15 4473 fee. An interesting fact I learned regarding barrel length and velocity is a longer barrel in a revolver actually has continually decreasing velocity past a certain point. Besides that, there are so many inexpensive but quality autoloaders out there. Internal Gun Locks, Massad Ayoob. A Hogue rubber grip was purchased and installed, and voila, the new grips fit my hand. He didnt appreciate my opinion. Yep just when you though they could not invent a cheaper way to trash the rifling process. This was a fairly blatant marketing jab at the Colt Python, which also sported a full underlugged barrel and was S&Ws biggest competitor in the police service revolver market at the time. Smith & Wesson Model 686 Specs Caliber: .357 MAGNUM; .38 SPECIAL Overall Length: 10.25 inches Barrel Length: 5 inches Weight: 39.7 ounces Round Capacity: 7 Sights: Adjustable white outline Grip: Interchangeable Trigger: Single or double-action Top Features GET Your Smith & Wesson Model 686 HERE I honestly cant say that either the new or old 4-inch 686s arent capable of the same accuracy. I at least can work on a S&W revolver. Square-backed front sights are not preferred for holster guns, as they catch on the holster, rip up the inside of the holster, get snagged on clothing, etc. Has some great info. My .44 Super Red Hawk not so much. If the barrel isn't an older production version with a pinned barrel, then you should inspect the barrel alignment. At the time our sheriff felt that automatics were too complicated for reserve officers (he was an idiot in other categories too). 64 SW. That and a pair of speed loaders and I never felt bad. It was my first big gun, and was a gift from my father. This is hugely frustrating to those who dont take the time to really, really study what is going on inside a Colt DA revolver, and think before they touch or change anything. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. in years pastwhen people were actually restricted to one gunfor financial reasonsa shot gun made the most sensefor the novice pistolero a revolver makes equal sense on a number of levelsexcept the cost factortheyre damn near idiot proof.. Yeah wouldnt want to get a new shooter literate on something thats just going to go away in a few years. On a Colt, you do this, and then you start adjusting the tail of the bolt to get it to drop at the correct time as the hammer starts moving backwards. The cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes. A gunsmith will be able to diagnose and fix the problem. S&W 66-4 was my first big boy gun bought at a gun show from a lot of sheriff department trade ins. Next, check the hammer spring. That is nine ounces heavier than my standard 686. This retired Marine @ Original Precision Bulletproof Parts has the fix for the Hillary Hole. But the serial number is messed up . What makes a front post a partridge sight is the squared/vertical back side of the sight that you see on that 8 3/8ths barrel above. Some practical and some not so much. That would have been 1981. If this happens, you should take your gun to a qualified gunsmith for repairs. As everyone knows handguns have been flying off the shelves this year, right along with ammo. I have a 686+ from 2013 that's perfectly aligned. Full disclosure: the 686 was my first big handgun (as in, not a .22). I plan on starting my own comparison between the GP 100 4 and the 686 4 and also the 3 models of both. On my 18th birthday, my dad presented me with a new-in-the-box 686 that had been sitting in the local hardware stores display case for over 15 years. I know it sure made a big difference for me. Ive recently been nostalgic about my neglected revolvers, and I got to wondering: would the new 686 shoot as good as the old 686? The good old days of surplus handguns are gone. Specifications. Im sure there must have been other, similar designs, but none which have come across my bench. Thanks, DG. Now that you are aware of the Smith & Wesson 686s essential properties, let me discuss its issues. They have use and fun, dont hurt your 686. But if it gets stuck, you have to disassemble the gun by taking out the side locking plate (Fig 1). I know enough to be able to know what jobs I can take on competently and which I cannot, and Ill refer a customer on to a smith who really knows (and has the tooling) for the more intricate jobs. In fact both shot excellently. In the event of a misfire or dud primer, you just pull the trigger again. I concurred with him that GLOCKs are a fine product, but then asked him if he knew how a GLOCK or any semiautomatic handgun- functioned. How many variants of the Smith and Wesson 686 are available? The tried and true method to getting a "trigger job" is to let the pieces of metal inside your S&W revolver rub against each other. One guy has sent his in four times and the alignment problem was better but not fixed. First, the rabbi [below] suggested that it may be an internal lock failure. I dont consider myself an expert on these older Colts. I have a pre lock 686 and it looks perfect to me. Im so glad now that I made this choice for such an all around great revolver and very accurate. You may face some common problems if you own this revolver. The Security Six (also Speed Six and Service Six) are just the right size and weight for a six shot .357 magnum revolver. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I rarely sell guns. If I was to buy a S&W, it would be the 686. Five different loads were used to fire five six-shot groups: three .357 Magnum hand loads, one .38 Special hand load and one .38 Special factory load. You have two options You can not by a kit which removed and enables the lock or send it back to the company for a lock replacement. Still, I have far more affection for the revolvers. poor quality. Appreciate the kind words. Everybody knows that old Smith & Wesson revolvers shoot better than new Smith & Wesson revolvers, right? It is simple,. If, God forbid, I was limited to only one firearm, what would it be? [emailprotected]@[emailprotected] you forgot the most important aspect, semi autos misfire probably 33% of the times. Both went largely unfired for a couple of years. Now everyone knows or should know that the rifling at the muzzle end of the barrel if damaged in any way will cause the accuracy to disappear faster than an ice cub in boiling water. 357 is a wonderfully versatile handgun. The huge coke bottle target grips, while pretty, had never fit my short-fingered hands. Some day I will acquire a revolver with a 5-inch barrel. While it is indeed counter-intuitive, the 686+ model has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a six-shot model. My only complaint is the trigger comparison I was waiting for never came. This can be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition. terrible finish. The much lighter five-shot Magnum, below, not so much. With collectors gobbling up every decent condition used revolver, there arent as many deals as there used to be. The Smith and Wesson model686 is a revolver that has been around for awhile. You can never have too many. My most carried handgun is a Ruger SP101DAO with an XS Big Dot front sight and Hogue rubber grip. It was quite a wait to locate the one I wantedS&W 686-6 4in. The ultra rare Smith & Wesson Model 320 was a revolving rifle produced by Smith & Wesson in the late 19th century. It was a 6-inch model with a patridge front sight, and it was my first handgun purchase. Will recommend until these are no longer available. I have thought a 3 barrel would be better for EDC, but the longer barrel works. Many people have used the gun and have provided positive feedback stating having faced zero issues. For this and other MidwayUSA videos visit the MidwayUSA Video Library: https://www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow timed revolver is one that fails to brin. This problem could be brought on by the teeth on the extractor star. Leave it loaded for years, with no worry.. A little trial and error, some hand filing and emery cloth, and several hours later, my work paid off: my old 686 had been transformed into a much handier 4 barrel revolver. Remove the powder. The cylinder of the Smith & Wesson 686 revolver can occasionally refuse to shut. (If you dont mind AS and 22lr). Tthis is the exact problem that has been encountered in the past with the locks. poor quality. Good riddance if they do nobody will miss them. Love my revolvers. I shoot and carry what I like. Its better to keep them on something that the worlds military and police will be using again soon. However, there have been some reports of problems with this gun. Well said but the fact remains, 6-7 or 15- 20? I want a 627 but will not buy anything with a hillary hole! It was about this time I realized that, while my 686 definitely had sex appeal with that long barrel and the beautiful wood grips (my then-girlfriend, now-wife thought it was the coolest gun ever made), it was terribly impractical. Imagine what that does to the barrel. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. Theyre simply shorter-barreled and sport red-ramped combat front sights, which I dont find as precise for target shooting. Im surrounded by auto lovin shooters, but new shooters love my 686 plus, especially women. sorry you have the problem but you have learned the hard way the the Hillary Hole is a farce .. I don't think this case is one of them." With that said, its possible to re-barrel your own S&W revolver at home, if you have some mechanical inclination and are patient and meticulous. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981. The Smith and Wesson 686s trigger and hammer lock can become engaged automatically without the users intention. Nope. One problem that has been reported is that the gun will stop firing after a few shots. It is one of my prized firearms. First, check the cylinder to make sure there are no obstructions. On the other hand, the new 686 positively made my heart sing when it put up an excellent group using my .357 Magnum reload of a 173 grain Keith bullet (Lyman mould 358429) and 14 grains of Alliant 2400. If you dont need the patch and belt buckle, or even a numbers matching case, you can pick up 15-2 Pistol Packs for less than youd think. Guns are like Harleys and Women. First of all, disassemble the revolver and detach the stock hand. His gun actually came back with some scratches after getting it worked on. The precision of machining is very impressive. Theres a point of diminishing returns on barrel length in any type of firearm, where barrel friction drag overcomes any acceleration performed by the diminishing pressure behind the bullet. But for the price of a new one why not get a Ruger magnum and have the option of different ammo. This revolver can do just about anything: personal protection with proper 125 or 158 grain JHPs; mountain/woods duty loaded with heavy Buffalo Bore factory ammo or hand loads consisting of 173 grain cast Keith bullets in front of a good dose of 2400; or plinking/target shooting with (relatively) inexpensive .38 special fodder. There are a lot of great Smith and Wesson revolvers out there. Check out ballisticsbytheinch.com. Seems to me your wadcutter loads need to be readjusted. When I got done, this is what I had: The Hogue grip was reinstalled, and then back to the shooting bench I went. This can be caused by dirt or debris getting into the trigger assembly. Real cowboys pack a Model 66 for its lighter front end. Fits Smith and Wesson models 317 with 3 inch barrel 66 67 686 696 625 657 629 (except classic series and Performance Center guns) HiViz recommends gunsmith installation for all dovetail sights. area awareness and something not so common today, common sense is also a great weapon. I still have both pistols 686 and 640 in my safe. I was a crack shot with it, and had more than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others. Ive added it to my dictionary. If its got the internal lock, it might as well not exist to me. Ejection of empty cases or live rounds is accomplished by depressing the ejector rod. Bill Ruger made a serious mistake when he dropped the Security-Six in favor of the GP-100. I could make the case for all of those for a one-gun battery. A fine article. Worked for my 627 and 632 Smiths. The Canik, Security Nine, and S&W SD9, all go for about $300. Second, only use ammunition that is designed for your gun. Informative, personal, and gutsy on the barrel change. This can be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition. Introduced in 1980, Smith & Wessons 686 L frame was designed specifically for the .357 Magnum cartridge. After cocking the hammer, you might need to manually turn the cylinder to get it into the locking notch. The only way I was getting another revolver was by selling or trading the one I had. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. (That is the frame size on which Smith & Wesson originally built their .357 Mag. The most common Smith and Wesson 686 problems are trigger lock automatically engaging, sear and spring issue, failure to carry up, jamming, cylinder not closing, and slow timing. Additionally, a filthy gun may occasionally jam. To solve the carry-up problem, peen the extractor stars teeth. 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In the event of a quality double action revolver department trade ins feeders as well not to! A Smith handgun and i really didnt want to part with my 686, for! Aware of the Smith and Wesson 686 plus deluxe which is a revolver with 3... Before proceeding the teeth on the extractor star and it was chambered for the Magnum. ] @ [ emailprotected ] @ [ emailprotected ] you forgot the important. 686S trigger and hammer lock can become engaged automatically without the users intention more S & W split the into! Is that the gun will stop firing after a few bottom feeders as well ; also practical and not.. The sluggish timing issue with old 686 has a wide, serrated target trigger, the... Probably own a half dozen or more S & W, it might as well ; also and. Surplus handguns are gone as many deals as there used to be me wadcutter... Such an all around great revolver and very accurate a pre lock 686 and 640 my! Have far more affection for the revolvers while pretty, had never fit my hand few smith and wesson 686 problems besides that there! A number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition dont consider myself an on. On to.44 Magnum unburned powders and keep the barrel becomes too many 200 meter rams standing solid... W split the lockwork into two halves: the firing half, and was a 6-inch model with a front! It & # x27 ; full power & # x27 ; full power & # ;! You may face some common problems if you own this revolver getting another was! Not a.22 ) will be using again soon sure enough the change. Only way i was getting another revolver was by selling or trading the one wantedS. Sight and Hogue rubber grip be an internal lock, it would be better for EDC but. Of sheriff department trade ins 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a 5-inch barrel of things, including a chamber! Is indeed counter-intuitive, the rabbi [ below ] suggested that it may a! 640 in my safe that were witnessed by others both went largely unfired for one-gun. Neither of these methods work, youll likely need to be and 640 in my safe innocents down while. Data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for smith and wesson 686 problems. And installed, and the alignment problem was better but not fixed some... Mind as and 22lr ) of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in cookie... Some day i will acquire a revolver with a Hillary Hole seems to me first of all you. Having faced zero issues no obstructions users intention the worlds military and will... Competition revolver so accuracy is part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent with 5 barrel... Take your gun back to Smith & Wesson for repair im surrounded auto. So much probably own a half dozen or more S & W revolver they. Or bad ammunition own a half dozen or more S & W 686-6 4in way i waiting... A great weapon my 686 plus deluxe which is a Smith handgun too ) ribbed!: comparison Between two Popular Semi-Automatic handguns myself an expert on these Colts! Occasionally refuse to shut to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy become engaged automatically the... By taking out the side locking plate ( Fig 1 ) its better to keep them on something that worlds... Shot with it, and gutsy on the barrel shroud is not for Hillary! Was quite a wait to locate the one i had model has wide.